Minimalist concrete shelter: Residence in Kifissia

The Residence in Kifissia is designed by Tense Architecture Network, situated in Kifissia, Greece. The residence’s plot is small and an adjacent building almost blocks the southern sun. The main part of the field should remain free and become the residence itself: an austere prism, centrally supported, hovers above the liberated ground. At first, an area was defined: a cubic shell of plants creates a limit for the house. In order to reside, ones withdraws in. Three metallic columns support a net of inox ropes where plants have already started to climb in order to generate a volume equally important to the house’s prisms.

When the plants are grown the green screen will be penetrated only by the black central column of the concrete shelter. The basalt-watery surface on which it is based reflects the light in the interior. Exposed concrete is dark tinted where a greater depth, a sense of anchoring was necessary. Artificial light is cautiously managed in order to protect the night and the intimacy that dim light offers.

The shell remains intact towards the main facade. The public image of the residence will eventually recede behind the plants and the house will claim the whole field. The vigorously detached prism lets the sun enter and functions as a shelter: living space lies beneath. When the sliding panels retreat, the merging with the garden is complete.

The space that the elevated prism creates is the main compositional gesture. The manner that this gesture is performed is crucial: it is the manner through which the hovering prism is supported by the central column. A calm tension is realized, a simple yet clear correlation of forces. The synergy between structural and architectural design gives a residence where the shell is not more important than its field. Those are juxtaposed: one to one.

Photos: Filippo Poli

Contemporary open plan family residence in Kifisia

The contemporary Residence in Kifisia has been designed for a family of four by N. Koukourakis & Associates in the suburb of Kifisia, in Athens, Greece. The home is comprised of 3,767 square feet (350 square meters) of living space, constructed on a small, almost level square plot. The concept of the designed was focused on establishing additional open air spaces to create a pleasant habitat on the small plot. The small stone mass in the entryway separates the public spaces from the private spaces to ensure privacy.

The open ground floor plan encompasses the foyer, sitting room, rest room, dining room and kitchen, which through large interior and exterior openings utilize all natural light to the largest extent, while at the same time they appear to complement the outdoor / open spaces since they are directly connected. The double height opening in the living room visually connects the ‘public’ and ‘private’ spaces of the residence. On the first floor, the living room, office and children’s bedrooms all have balconies without railings and transparent glass for maximization of the view. On the second floor the master bedroom has infinite views and a vast veranda. The basement comprises of additional secondary ‘functional rooms’ as well as the guest room.

The materials used for the exterior facade constitute the components used in the internal spaces. Coffee-grey coating and wood in a monochromatic dialogue define the overall structure of this building. The use of wood in the external spaces, the ground floor and the balconies doubles and visually connects the spaces of the residence.

The furniture follows the simple and minimal theme of the building’s spaces, enhancing the clean design lines and light colors of the structure as well as the primary function of light and the comfort of the spaces.

The shell of the house is constructed using a facade insulation system; the aluminum casings have thermal-break system and high spec double energy glass panels. Heating is provided through the floor while there is also a central air conditioning system. It is constructed in accordance with the specifications of a smart home where all operations including lighting, the movement of shutters, the alarm system, video surveillance cameras, multi-room sound system and air conditioning are all controlled by a centralized system.

Luxury villa escape to the sultry island of Paros

 Sunny Side Villa is a brand new luxury vacation dwelling situated on a sandy beach with a swimming pool literally on the sand of Chrisi Akti in Paros, Greece designed by Studio 265 Architecture + Building. This 3,875 square foot (360 square meters) property has been built as a long flat unit and it has a guest house almost attached to it. All bedrooms have sea views and direct access to the pool area and all the comforts of a luxury construction. There is a main house with three bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, large living and dining area and a kitchen. An independent guesthouse has a bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a day bed, dressing room and small kitchenette as well as staff quarters. The land is comprised of 11,000 square meters and is planted with olive trees, fig and pomegranate trees and a vineyard. There is a small vegetable and aromatic plants garden. This unique beach house is ideal for families or a group of couples!

Photos: Courtesy of Studio 265 Architecture + Building

Breathtaking summer house in Paros Cyclades Greece

This sensational summer house is situated in the eastern part of the island of Paros Cyclades in Greece. Designed by inteiror designer Alexandros Logodotis, the home has been declared a nature of traditional Cycladic architecture with a minimal modern presentation, which fits the personality of the owners. Daylight reveals the plasticity of white colors as watercolors which have spread in selected areas, while at night the lights in headlights and other details throughout the building becomes a supernatural setting, hovering over the pool. The orientation is east and spaces organized in turn by the sun to “live” the best of their era: the outdoor kitchen has shade in the afternoon to be able to enjoy a meal in peace.

The building appears as a volume configured by touch, without straight and tight corners – as if it was slowly carved over time, with the wind and rain. The smooth curves and holes, the white Cycladic which eliminates the strong light and color harmonies, is what characterizes the area “breathe” the breeze coming through the openings. The center of gravity of the house seems to be the staircase, which stands like a sculpture. Patiti, gray concrete alternating with sand-colored marble tiling and signage in the area around the pool, covers the floors. The minimal house design is ideal for anyone who wants simplicity; the atmosphere is something ethereal mixed with the water elements. Designed installations include built-in shelves in the living room, an abstract dining room buffet and built beds.

Photos: Ioanna Nikolareizi

Striking transformation of a postwar house in Athens

Greek architect Minas Kosmidis redesigned this postwar two story detached house featuring a stunning Acropolis view, located in the area of Thisio in Athens, Greece. Besides the restoration work which had to be done for the 1,076 square foot (100 square meters) home, the configuration of the spatial organization was another significant part of the re-design.

Here is a description of the project from the architects. “The indoor organization of the detached houses of ‘50s was almost standard. On the ground floor, one could find the daytime functions: the sitting room, the living-room, the kitchen, perhaps a small water closet; on the other floor, the nightly functions: the 3 bedrooms, the bathroom, the store room-laundry and the back balcony which had access to the camber through metal stairs.

All the rooms looked over the street, as usual, because life in the neighborhood was intrinsic to it. The building was to be bought by the new owners because it had an important advantage (besides its location) the back of the second floor had a view of the Acropolis.

The aim of the study of the house was the exploitation of that view and how it would be able to become the most important element in the final spatial configuration in order to serve the owners both interns of their needs and in terms of aesthetics. Of course, the purchase would depend on this solution.

All this was achieved, to a maximum, through this study and its application afterwards, which literally brought things upside down. So on the ground floor, besides the entrance was/we created the bedroom with the owners’ private bathroom, a small living-room which is transformed into a guest-house after changing the movable elements, which separate it from the bedroom, a small water closet for the guests and a storeroom.

As the ground-floor gets light only through the two windows that overlook the street, walls and doors have been removed and replaced with big movable panels made of wooden surfaces with either walnut finishing or that of the walls.

The wants and the aesthetics of the owners as well as the architects were concurrent. A monochromatic was created, in the shades of the earth shell, natural materials were used, non-sterile, where furniture, items, memories can coexist harmoniously, without affectation.

The beige is the main color of the coated surfaces of the walls and of the floors, of the marble floors, of the hollows and of the most cloths, in a coexistence with the wood of the walnut and the black of the metal constructions, of the switches, of some items which stand for other seasons.

You are in a constant conversation with the lively frame of Acropolis and bring you into a pleasant nostalgic attitude, somewhere else. The metal elements, which were used for the restoration, remained visible, as well as the building elements of the old construction.

The old outwards hollows remained and maintained and at the frontage the railing and the gutters were redesigned. The colors that were used for the internal were also used for the external.

The lighting was studied for showing the building both inside and outside but with respect to the region of Thisio, the monument of Acropolis, the atmosphere that is brought by the building.

The big glass wall was built so that it could become a large frame with a view to the Acropolis. From the veranda, a steel stair leads to the terrace; from there somebody has the superlative view to the Attica sky, to Acropolis, to the “observatory”, to Athens.

Opposite the entrance, a staircase with steps made of solid walnut “planted” on the wall leads to the floor where a single space has been created, which includes a living-room, a dining-room, a kitchen with a straight continuation towards the veranda.

Photos: Ioanna Roufopoulou

Warehouse loft in Athens with Japanese aesthetics

The industrial past of the building, Japanese aesthetics, beautiful designs by Patricia Urquiola and the original choices in wood and tiles make a difference in the recent work of the architectural firm Esé Studio, which is their workplace and home in Athens, Greece. Faliro Loft is an authentic warehouse loft which is primarily a workspace and then home, the office has a separate entrance from the elevator and stairs, and is encased in a sandblasted glass and steel box. The kitchen with a large dining table in the daytime serves as a meeting room. In the southwestern part of the building, the bedroom is secluded with a series of concrete pillars that serve as a separator. The key point in aesthetics is cement.

The architects preferred the original plaster ceiling because you can give any shape, physical appearance and the patina of time. Apart from cement, all the rest was created from scratch. They also designed a magnificent shallow pool in Japanese style and sliding shoji panels. The stairwell was covered by large, wooden planks and the flooring treatments have a combination of three types of tiles, except the living room, where smoked oak was used. The ceramic tiles are used as dividers and sunshades, with thousands of different colors and textures and low maintenance costs. Highlights include the green ceramic forming the trellis over the small pool, black kitchen mosaic and 3D blue and red spacer.

An important role in the loft is the play on nature. The architects have attempted to create a series of portable gardens, and gardens that grow at the height of the wall, in wool sheaths that have been brought in from California! Their hope was that in the near future everyone would grow their own vegetables and herbs on their balconies. If you lack the necessary space, this method can easily grow vertically.

Photos: Ioanna Roufopoulouf

Spectacular Mykonos villa on the Aegean Sea

This spectacular single family home, spotted on Sotheby’s Realty, is situated on the Aegean Sea in Mykonos, Greece. Villa Andira is a spacious residence comprised of 4,908 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms. This stunning home offers wonderful amenities including a security system, gardens, wonderful outdoor living spaces and terraces, outdoor swimming pool and heavenly mountain views. The contemporary interiors feature a simple, clean color palette with an open plan kitchen and dining area and comfortable living spaces.

This grand property is listed at $7,514,375, from here.

Retreat to a stunning Mykonos holiday villa

With its contemporary and unusual design, Villa Lemonitra is modern vacation retreat in Mykonos, Greece that does not compromise the typical Greek Cycladic style. The house, structured on three separate levels, offers impressive views of Panormos Bay and surrounding hills, offering seclusion and privacy. Every detail of this picturesque villa has been cleverly designed and arranged with taste.

The attractive rectangular swimming pool, the core feature of the house, is accessible from every room. Its stone wall within gives an amazing “aquarium” effect from the two large windows on the level below. The outside terrace around the pool is spacious with a large pergola, modern outdoor settings and beautiful views.

The predominant color of the interior is white, conferring a minimalist look and pleasing atmosphere. On the top floor, the bright living room is furnished with contemporary pieces and displays modern artwork. The adjacent well-equipped kitchen leads to a veranda and outside dining table.

The right wing of the property features the master bedroom’s suite on two levels: on the pool level, the master bedroom has direct access to the pool and to a large front terrace with magnificent views, while the lower level consists of a private studio with en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe and is connected to the property’s spa area, a common space with sauna and impressive shower room complete with aquarium-like pool windows. The left wing of the property features two guest bedrooms on two levels with shared bathrooms, both connected to the spa and to a small gym.

Lemonitra is the ideal retreat for guests who appreciate an artist’s concept of a villa holiday, rates start at $1,213 per night, from here.

Sumptuous contemporary residence in Greece

The luxurious H.2. Residence is a striking home located in a residential suburb of Athens, Greece, designed by architecture firm 314 Architecture Studio. The building is situated in the area of Golf in Glyfada, consisting of three residential areas. Each residence has two smaller bedrooms and one master suite.

Here is a description of the project from the architects, “outside there is an atrium that provides light to secondary areas of the house while working as a funnel exit of hot air for reduced energy consumption air-conditioning during the summer months. The bioclimatic design and the positioning of the building with fixed louvers and the design of their exposures save natural heating energy while the connection between building and water creates a natural cooling. The houses are equipped with the latest technology of under floor heating systems and VR air-conditioning friendly to the environment. The materials used in the flooring and walls are all natural rather than industrial.

The interior design utilizes colors and materials to create a sense of harmony, modernity and at the same time luxury while the sculptures of Gianni Aspra dominate the walls of living rooms creating emotions and abstract mood. Finally the roof gardens with glass stairwells offer unlimited view of Argosaronic.”

Intimate and luxurious Jade Villa in Greece

Tucked away just above a small, enchanting bay on the southern coast of Paros, Greece, Jade Villa is a property of extraordinary elegance that appears as an astonishing structure surrounded by a vivacious garden of Mediterranean vegetation such as olive trees, pink oleanders and herbs which accompany guests on their brief descent to the nearby Farangas Beach just below the villa.

Upon entering the property one is greeted by an airy and spacious atmosphere, a characteristic common to all rooms and enhanced by a minimal decor through the wooden flooring and high ceilings and the pristine white featured in the property’s furnishing – all contributing to the sense of spaciousness without compromises towards the utmost comfort of Jade’s guests.

The property is divided among three distinct units with bedrooms on opposing ends of the living room and kitchen; the entrance halls opens onto a covered pergola with marble floors that leads directly to a small office and the two en-suite master bedrooms, which share access to the attractive pool located to the back of this unit, granting intimacy and privacy. The guesthouse is located on the opposite side of the premises and includes two en-suite guest bedrooms both spilling onto the outdoor living area; a further guest bedrooms is located on an upper level with external access and allowing for fantastic views over the Aegean Sea.

If you are interested in staying at this fabulous villa, the cost is $4,000 per night, from here.